Standish O'Grady; selected essays and passages

I08 STANDISH o'GRADY
but from the north out of the sea proceeded slow, sweet
fairy music, most heart-piercing, most beautiful. Came
Lear of the Shee Fionahah, on Slieve Few, whose were
the sweet children. His dominion was over the sea,
and he lorded it over the lawless sea. Came Mananan,
the son of Lear, from his isle, eastward in Nuirnuict,
traversing the soft waves in his chariot, drawn by fairy
steeds that brake not a bubble nor severed the wavecrest.
Came the warrior queens of the Gaeil Bauv, and Macha,
and Moreega, relaxing their stern brows above the couch
of Cuculain, and the three sweet sisters Eire and Fohla
and Banba, whose gentle names are upon Inis Fail. They
met and welcomed the children of Milith, what time
having consumed their ships they marched inland to
subdue the island. Came Brihid, adored by the singing
tribe, and Angus-an-Vroga, dazzling bright, round whom
flew singing-birds, purple-plumed, and no eye sees them,
for they sing in the hearts of youths and maidens. Came
Goibnen, the father of craftsmen, and Yeoha Macerc,
surnamed Ollav Fohla, and the Dada Mor, who ruled over
all the Tuatha De Danan, from his green throne above the
waters of the Boyne. Came Ogma, the inventor of letters,
and Coirpry Kin Kaeth, surnamed also Crom and Cruag,
" the stooping one " and " the stern," whose altar was
upon Mah Slact when the Talkend, cross-bearing, with
his clerics, came to Inis Fail, and many more of the
Tuatha De Danan came to visit Cuculain that night ; but
there also came the Fianna of ancient Erin, the most ancient
of all before the Fomoroh and the Clanna Nemed, before
the paling queen, Kasar, they viewless possessed Inis